What phenomenon occurs when two species from different lineages independently evolve similar characteristics?

The phenomenon where two species from different lineages independently evolve similar characteristics is known as convergent evolution. This process occurs when distinct species face similar environmental pressures or challenges, leading them to develop comparable traits, adaptations, or strategies for survival.

For instance, birds and bats both possess the ability to fly, but they evolved this capability from different ancestral lineages. Despite their different evolutionary paths, their wings exhibit similar structures and functions due to the selective pressures of flight. This illustrates how convergent evolution emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping the characteristics of organisms, regardless of their genetic background.

Divergent evolution, in comparison, refers to the process where two or more related species become more dissimilar over time, often due to different environmental conditions. Adaptive radiation describes a rapid evolutionary diversification when a species expands into various environments, resulting in a variety of forms. Anthropogenic change relates to transformations in the environment caused by human activity, affecting ecosystems and species, but is not a mechanism of evolutionary change on its own.